Nadia Clancy appointed as Premier’s Advocate for Suicide Prevention

Nadia Clancy has been appointed as the Premier’s Advocate for Suicide Prevention.

The Member for Elder will work closely with Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton, key members of the community in the area of suicide prevention, and people with lived experience of suicide.

Latest figures who the suicide rate in SA was 13.3 per cent per 100,000 people in 2020, higher than the national average of 12.1 per cent. A total of 234 South Australians took their lives in that year.

One of the new advocate’s first priorities will be to work with Minister Picton to establish the Suicide Prevention Council, with an aim of reducing the rate of South Australians who take their own lives.

Ms Clancy will have a place on the Council, which will focus on the creation of the State Suicide Prevention Plan.

The Council is a statutory body which reports direct to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, established under the Suicide Prevention Act 2021, which passed the South Australian Parliament on 9 December 2021.

Ms Clancy will also have deep engagement with the state’s more than 40 Suicide Prevention Networks, first established in 2013 under the former Labor Government to coordinate grassroots community focused suicide prevention action.

Any person is contemplating suicide, experiencing emotional distress, or caring for someone in crisis, can call Lifeline’s 24/7 Crisis Support line on 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

Quotes attributable to Peter Malinauskas

The tragedy of suicide claims too many lives, touching many families and friends in its wake.

Nadia will have a direct line to myself and the Health Minister, her advocacy informed by those who have a deep, intricate understanding of this issue.

Quotes attributable to Chris Picton

We want to ensure South Australians have access to every possible network and support to address the circumstances that can lead to the tragedy of suicide. Bringing together experts and those with lived experience, this council will have the ability to create real change from the very top.

I want to thank the state’s first Advocates John Dawkins and Dan Cregan for their tremendous work. I know that Nadia will now excellently build upon these strong foundations in this important area.

Quotes attributable to Nadia Clancy

I will not take lightly the weight and responsibility that comes with accepting this role. I will be listening to and taking advice from people across the sector, including service providers, Suicide Prevention Networks and those with lived experience.

One life taken by suicide is a life too many, and I promise to do my absolute best to help create the supports necessary to help as many South Australians as possible.

Media Contact
Pamela Perre 0447 525 822
pamela.perre@sa.gov.au